A chronic autoimmune disease in which the insulin-producing beta cells of the pancreas are destroyed, leading to high glucose levels in the blood and resulting in impaired metabolism of carbohydrates, fats, and proteins. The disease, which is characterized by excessive thirst, frequent urination, metabolic acidosis, and wasting, typically appears in childhood or adolescence and requires lifelong administration of insulin. Also called insulin-dependent diabetes, insulin-dependent diabetes mellitus.